Bangladeshi Buddhist monks feed hundreds of poor Muslims during Ramadan
Bangladeshi Buddhist monks giving out Iftar meals, food for breaking the daytime fast, to Bangladeshi Muslims at the main shrine of Dhammarajika Monastery in Dhaka on July 6, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
Bangladeshi Buddhist monks distributing tokens among Muslims for collecting Iftar meals for breaking fast at the main shrine of Dhammarajika Monastery in Dhaka on July 6, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
Bangladeshi Buddhist monks giving out Iftar meals, food for breaking the daytime fast, to Bangladeshi Muslims at the main shrine of Dhammarajika Monastery in Dhaka on July 6, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
Bangladeshi Buddhist monks feed hundreds of poor Muslims during Ramadan
DHAKA (AFP) – A Buddhist monastery in Bangladesh is serving food to hundreds of poor Muslims during Ramadan, in a rare example of social harmony between the religions in the South Asian nation.
Dharmarajika, in the capital Dhaka, has become a hit on social media since it started distributing daily food packs for Muslims who break their fast during the Islamic month at sunset, known as Iftar.
“Buddhism taught us that serving humanity is the ultimate religion. We are feeding the poor Muslims who cannot afford to buy proper meals to break their fast,” Suddhananda Mahathero, the head monk of the monastery, told AFP.
When AFP visited on Monday evening, more than 300 Muslims were waiting at the gate of the monastery in Dhaka’s Basabo neighbourhood to receive some Iftar delicacies.
“I can eat some good food served with love and care,” said 70-year-old Ms Amena Khatun, who added that she had walked several kilometres to get there.
As a young monk distributed tickets to hungry Muslims, police were on hand to ensure the process remained orderly.
“This is such a wonderful example of religious harmony: showing respect and affection to the fasting neighbours without thinking of the difference of religions,” said policeman Asad Uzzaman.
Muslims make up around 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s 160 million population, with a tiny community of Buddhists residing mostly in the country’s southeastern districts bordering Myanmar.
In September 2012, tens of thousands of Muslims vandalised and torched nearly a dozen Buddhist temples in the south of the country following allegations that a Buddhist man had desecrated the Quran.
Many Muslims took to social media to thank the Dharmarajika monastery for their food distribution, posting photos on Facebook of the yellow-clad monks handing out supplies. Others praised the monks on Twitter.
“I really appreciate the initiative and thank them,” Mr Nur Hossain, a banker, told AFP.
The monastery was established in 1949 and is home to more than 700 orphans who study at a free school it runs.
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/bangladeshi-buddhist-monks-feed-hundreds-of-poor-muslims-during-ramadan#xtor=CS1-10
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All religions share a similar message of peace and tolerance despite their differences. In the history of faith, there are so many beautiful and inspiring thoughts about creating peace and harmony among communities. We should help out to the poor or homeless regardless of race and of religion. Those Buddhist monks at Dhammarajika Monastery in Dhaka did a good job, in accord to Buddhist teachings. They gave out foods to the poor Muslims during Ramadan the Muslim fasting months. Looking at the pictures tells all. A wonderful way helping the hundreds poor people in the streets . That’s should be the way , well a rare example of religious harmony . Helping and giving are human strengths and weapons against the many arbitrary and malevolent dark forces that plague human existence.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Religious harmony plays a important part in our society. Helping and giving out to the poor regardless of race and of religion that is how the world should be.They show that it is possible to live in harmony with respect and harmony.
Religion is just a label and if we distill the teaching of all those religion into it’s essence, we will find that they all teach the same thing which is compassion and kindness.Thank you very much for the good article.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article. It is nice to see the Buddhist monks giving food to the poor Muslim people in Bangladesh during their break fast. It shows to everybody in the world that by helping one another without agenda then everyone can live in peace and harmony.
With folded palms,
Vivian
These monks at Dhammarajika Monastery in Dhaka are really the epitome of Buddha’s teachings on kindness, compassion and equanimity. They show that it is possible to live in harmony with respect and harmony. They did not see the people as of any particular caste or faith or religious inclination. They saw the people as people in need of love and food.
This is a great message especially in the holy month of Ramadhan when one of the message is one of love, harmony and empathy.
Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu for this sharing.
As the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words”.In spiritual practice, we were taught that as we do more and more spiritual practice, transformative spiritual practice, we will see our mind become light. We will see our mind become brighter, happier and we see that we accept things. We open up our heart to Dharma and apply it. Things that we are not able to do, things that we find unbearable, we will be able to bear them, and do a lot of things naturally. So when we do Dharma well on the basis “for the others”, we will not be disappointed, sad, simply let go, or give up. A growing sense of universal responsibility will open up in our minds like our Guru Rinpoche, always has done. Universal responsibility, will bring happiness to all beings, like our centre do, the purpose of which has always been, still is, and always will be established, i.e. to help and be beneficial to all beings. Such is pivotal and necessary in our organisation, Kechara and to every individual too if possible! As Suddhananda Mahathero, The Head monk of the Monastery has told AFP, “Buddhism taught us that serving humanity is the ultimate Religion. We are feeding the poor muslims who cannot afford to buy proper meals to break their fast”. As from another quote of Truth which said, “COMPASSION TRANSCENDS BARRIERS, CONVENTION AND LABELS”. Om Mani Padme Hung.
It is so heart warming to see these pictures. Kindness and compassion should not be limited by race, religion and skin colour. There should be no barrier as we are all human. I hope everyone will live in peace and harmony irregardless of religion and belief.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this beautiful article about a Buddhist monastery in Bangladesh serving food to hundreds of poor Muslims during Ramadan.Religious harmony plays a important part in our society. Helping and giving out to the poor regardless of race and of religion ….that is how the world should be. Be kind and compassionate to everyone so as to live happily.
Thanks again.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this article. There are many religions in the world and all of them have their unique teachings and values. Most of the good religions promote love ,kindness and peace. To me, religion is just a label. The teachings of love, kindness and peace is the true religion.
Sometimes, these labels get over our head. We keep fight about which one is the best religion and who is right and who is wrong. We tend to forget that the very purpose of religion. It became a game of power and benefits. Then, the true practitioners will suffer.
Humbly,
Chris
Compassion transcends barriers, conventions and labels.
Dear Rinpoche ,
This post had taught me the true religion that everybody should practice is compassion and kindness towards other beings. Religion is just a label and if we distil the teaching of all those religion into it’s essence, we will find that they all teach the same thing which is compassion and kindness. We should treat people from different religion with love and compassion instead of judging them.
Chris
This post just reminds me that happiness and comapassion all are not limited by race, religion or gender. Everybody there is happy, even the ones giving. That’s rare to see these days. That is how the world should be, happy. We should all practice compassion.
The other thing this post shows is what compassion is related to and what you need to truly have compassion, and one is forgiveness because there were conflicts between the two religions but the Buddhists forgave them and wants to make peace and the Muslims are more than willing. The other thing is generosity as to give to someone is very good and it practices selflessness which is good for your life because if you can live with less and need less for yourself. It is a happier and easier life.
The final thing that these people have. They have one special ability. That is the ability to see out. To want to make peace. The right mindset and a good one, they look to others for happiness and they do not look in for self satisfaction only and eu care for others and are selfless. Not just all themselves. Sometimes selflessness is hard to find in today’s generation which have so much to indulge into that they indulge too much and lost selflessness by habit. This post should set and example to everyone because it shows the right way to resolve something. With peace and the right mindset with compassion,generosity,forgiveness and selflessness.
Compassion through action regardless of race, religion or culture. These Buddhist monks set a very good example that hunger knows no barriers. They do not discriminate and are mindful and respectful of others’ beliefs.
All religion teach us o be kind and compassionate. We should have mutual respect for all religion and not put anyone down even though our view may differ.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this inspiring and heart warming post.
It is really good to see that everyone is now learning kindness.
No matter what religion we practice the number one thing that matters is kindness.
Sometimes difference in religion can cause disputes and violence, but here we have Buddhist handing out food to muslims totally free of charge! This is definately not something you will see everyday.
We must encourage kindness and peace everywhere.
Whatever religion we practice kindness is what matters most,be we Christians, Jews, Hindus ETC ETC…
I think this is very good 🙂 its nice to see people being to compassionate and kind to one another.
Just like what the beginning of the news report has said, this event represents peace within the religion in Bangladesh. In the past, there have been many incidents where the difference of religion has caused violence among societies. So by seeing events such as this, its good to know that mankind is changing for the better.
Also i just wanted to say that although in the past Muslims vandalised and torched many Buddhist temples, Buddhist monks still came to forgive the Muslims for committing this act. It is not easy to let go of something like that. I respect the Buddhist monks in Bangladesh and i hope they continue to spread their compassion.
All religions teach us to be kind, compassionate and caring regardless. When we look into the similarities of all religions, we see so much we have in common with each other. There are some differences in the teachings but that should not stopped us from seeing the bigger picture and create peace from within!
Thank you for your inspiring good example!
This is such a beautiful article. Religious harmony is crucial in today’s degenrage times. People are already having dispute over everything that will ignite human emotions and sentiment. We don’t need any further religious conflict and disharmony. I rejoice that despite conflict merely 3 years ago, it’s left behind and kindness and compassion prevails over anger and hatred.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the story on Buddhist monastery in Bangladesh is serving food to hundreds of poor Muslims during Ramadan.
We are glad that the monastery there is actualising their dharma knowledge into practical application.Through their genuine expression of compassion and generosity they gain world recognition .
Respect and praise comes naturally when they did it without any selfish agenda.
We certainly hope that more religious organisation would display similar type of activity to narrow the gap of misunderstanding between them and cultivate religious harmony.Which is so need during these dharma degenerated times.
All these monk who distribute food to the poor muslim really put Buddha practice into action, we have to set this as an example because we usually will only be kind to our own race we have strong discrimination but look what this monk are doing they show really good example as a buddhist monk .
This is such a heart warming news to read and share on especially with so much pain and sufferings occur all over the world related to religions and faith…
This is a good example for all by showing with mutual respect, people with different faith or culture, all can enjoy harmony and happiness.
A heart-warming article to read! Kindness is extended regardless of religion. An act of a true and sincere spiritual practitioners. Thank you for sharing the happening in Bangladesh Rinpoche!
Thankyou for sharing Rinpoche.
Sharing of religion and also being able to experience others’ religions I believe is very important. Every religion is based on something virtuous. So if we can learn from others, then others can learn from us; this will be beautiful and is the way forward. We are all humans who have the same needs. Ive always had the idea of joining the Muslim fasting month, to perhaps learn things that I couldn’t learn elsewhere, and also to show that our human needs transcend religious boundaries that have been wrongly created. We must walk with our brothers and sisters who are oppressed or in a situation of suffering, only then can we truly speak for ourselves and for them.
I hope you are well Rinpoche 🙂
This example of monks of a Buddhist monastery distributing Iftar meals to poor Muslim people is a powerful example to the world that everyone around the world, no matter what religion they may practice, no matter what their skin colour may be or no matter what race they may be… we can all unite together, help each other and live in harmony with each other without having to fight each other, argue with each other, kill each other and get in to all other disputes just because we don’t agree with each other’s religion, practices and customs.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this heart warming post.